THE Hurricanes dominated the first half and held on to beat the Crusaders 41-31 in a free-wheeling Super Rugby warm-up match in Eketahuna.
The hosts scored six tries to five in humid conditions on Saturday as both teams fielded a mixture of first and second-choice players, with most of their All Blacks rested.
Tries to flanker Brad Shields, winger Jason Woodward and prop Ben Franks in the first quarter set up the Hurricanes’ win.
The Crusaders responded in the second quarter through flanker Matt Todd and winger Johnny McNicholl, but the Hurricanes led 31-12 at halftime courtesy of tries to lock Geoff Cridge and prop Reggie Goodes.
The lead blew out 26 points, courtesy of a long-range try to centre Matt Proctor, but the Crusaders responded through a double to opposing centre Robbie Fruean.
The first of Fruean’s tries was set up by Dan Carter after the All Blacks’ five-eighth great was introduced at halftime for his first game of the season.
The Hurricanes made sure of victory with a late penalty to five-eighth Otere Black.
